Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki made his season debut Sunday, coming off the bench in the first quarter of the Mavericks' game in San Antonio against the Spurs. The 14-year pro underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Oct. 19, and he missed the team's first 27 games. In Nowitzki's absence, the Mavericks went 12-15, losing five of their past six prior to Sunday. Nowitzki returned to practice Wednesday, but he didn't immediately put a timetable on his return. Nowitzki, 34, averaged 21.6 points and 6.8 rebounds last season, below his career averages of 22.9 points and 8.3 rebounds. The 11-time All-Star led the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA championship, when he was selected the MVP of Dallas' win over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

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